Good Samaritans return valuable lost and found item at Tripler

When spending a large amount of money on a wedding ring set, the last thing you'd expect to happen is for it to go missing.

That is exactly what happened to a family visiting Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) on April 17th, 2014 for medical appointments.

Yet thanks to youthful eyes by Nathan (7) and Aidan (11) Seymour, the engagement ring was found in a TAMC parking lot. "They didn't realize what they found," said Kimberley Seymour, their mother. "It's special. The special memories held within that ring are invaluable."

The three turned in the engagement ring to the Tripler Provost Marshal's Office (PMO) as they were about to leave.

As luck would have it, when they left the hospital and returned to where they had parked, Nathan and Aidan found the wedding band that matched the engagement ring and turned it in as well.

Both pieces of jewelry are valued around $4,000.

It took longer for jewelry owners to realize the wedding ring set was missing than for the Seymour's to find both pieces of jewelry and turn them in.

"It's good when we can get it back to the rightful owner," said Kevin Guerrero, Provost Marshal for TAMC. "This is somebody's wedding ring and the sentimental value means more than the value of the ring itself."

"They felt good," stated Kimberley of her children's actions. "You try to raise them with the morals and ethics that if it's not yours, your turn it in. When they do come across those situations, you hope they do the right thing. And when they do, you say, yeah! I'm raising them the right way."

This is one of the larger valued items to turn up inside the walls of TAMC, however not the largest.

"Back in January, a minister visiting patients at TAMC came to our office with an envelope containing $7,000 that was left in a men's restroom," recalls Michael Ballesteros, Operations Officer at TAMC. "A few hours later, a Sgt. 1st Class called and asked if anyone had turned in an envelope containing the exact amount that was inside. He had planned on buying his wife a vehicle. After questioning the individual, we felt satisfied with his accuracy and the funds were released."

James Ingebredtsen, Deputy Provost Marshal, credits both outcomes to the local community. "It's a testimony to Hawaii and the low crime rate. Its things like this that contributes to a great outcome."

The Provost Marshal's Office focuses on crime prevention, protection of people and property, and the preservation of peace and order within Tripler Army Medical Center.